Crescent City is a small community between two lakes in Florida
Nestled between Crescent Lake and Lake Stella, Crescent City has a lush landscape that suits this Florida community's orange groves and ferneries. The cozy city of about 1,700 people is classic Old Florida, with Spanish moss hanging from oak trees and locals filling church pews on Sundays. "It's a very laid-back place," says former resident and Realtor Rosa Reyes Malla with Real Broker. "Don't think that you're going to find a lot. It's only one streetlight for the whole town." Reyes Malla, who speaks Spanish, notes that the town's population is largely Hispanic. She says the city attracts visitors for shrimping in the summer months and residents year-round for its low taxes on properties with acreage. "You can get mobile homes, you can get an acre of land for less than $145,000, and the taxes are very low," she says. "That's why people really go there."
Manufactured and single-family homes
The area has a mix of manufactured and single-family homes, and many properties have acreage. "Most of these people are retired, so they want space for their hobbies and toys," Reyes Malla says. Residential streets in the area often lack sidewalks or curbs and are shaded by mature live oaks and cypress trees. Available single-family homes are typically New Traditional or ranch-style houses. Most sales prices are between $150,000 and $600,000. Investment attracts buyers, too, says Reyes Malla, who adds that the town also has some Airbnbs, which spike in the summer months for shrimping.
City parks with access to a pair of lakes
Boating and fishing are popular in Crescent City. "A lot of people come from other states to go shrimping from the month of July to September," Reyes Malla says. Access to Crescent Lake can be found at the Crescent City New Boat Ramp and Fletcher Park, which is also the site of an off-leash dog park. Lake Stella Park allows visitors to swim and kayak in its namesake lake. Along with its playground and tennis courts, Eva Lyon Park hosts the St. Johns Catfish Festival, which features live music and a parade each April. Less than 50 miles away, St. Augustine's Crescent Beach is a popular weekend destination for surfing, swimming and spotting sea turtles.
Campus renovations for Crescent City Junior-Senior High School
Putnam County School District gets a C-plus grade from Niche. Middleton-Burney Elementary School receives a C, and the B-plus-rated Crescent City Junior-Senior High School has student activities that include a JROTC program and a Marine Science Center. The junior-senior high school campus is currently undergoing a $95 million renovation that's expected to be completed in 2027.
A waterfront restaurant, plus fast food and groceries
3 Bananas is a restaurant and bar with a dock on Crescent Lake, so residents can moor their boats and enjoy drinks and American fare on a palm-tree-lined patio. Other than that, most of the town's restaurants are located along Summit Street. El Amigo Mexican Restaurant is a family-owned spot serving burritos, tamales and other Mexican dishes in a cozy dining room and on a lush outdoor patio. A Winn-Dixie in town provides access to groceries, and fast-food chains offer options for a quick meal.
A medical center in town and flights out of Daytona Beach
Some medical services are available in town at Community Medical Center, and Crescent City is located less than 25 miles south of Palatka, which has a hospital. Residents can catch commercial flights from Daytona Beach International Airport, less than 50 miles away.
